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Great Willowherb

Great Willowherb

Epilobium hirsutum

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How common: Common

Alien species

Great Willowherb is a tall, hairy perennial herb with showy rose‑purple flowers. It is typically seen in wet, disturbed places such as ditches and damp meadows, flowering from July to August. Its long, slender seed pods and tufted seeds help it spread widely in suitable habitats.

Did you know?

  • The flowers are usually pink‑purple but can occasionally be white.
  • Its seeds carry silky hairs that catch the wind for dispersal.

About the species

Identification

A robust, upright plant with densely hairy stems and large, four‑petaled pink‑purple flowers that are clearly larger than the sepals. Leaves are mostly opposite (sometimes in whorls), sessile, lanceolate to oval, and coarsely toothed. Fruits are very long, slender capsules typical of willowherbs, splitting to release silky‑tufted seeds. Flowers mainly from July to August; its large flowers, strong hairiness, and opposite leaves help distinguish it from similar willowherbs.

Plant group

Herbaceous plants

Habitat

yards and roadsides

Flowering

Jul–Aug

About the habitat

Grows in wet, nutrient‑rich ground such as ditches, riversides, damp meadows, and moist wasteland or rough ground.

Sources

Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epilobium hirsutum - karvane pajulill Keilas.jpg

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karvahorsma

See also